Inside The Warriors

Draymond Green Reveals Honest Reason for Klay Thompson Leaving Warriors

Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors parted ways this NBA offseason.

Joey Linn

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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It always seemed that Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green would remain with the Golden State Warriors for their entire Hall of Fame careers.

Curry was drafted by the Warriors in 2009, Thompson was selected in 2011, and Green joined the duo in 2012 when he was a second round pick of Golden State. This trio won four NBA championships together, but will not have the opportunity to chase a fifth.

Thompson joined the Dallas Mavericks this offseason via sign and trade, joining Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to help push the reigning Western Conference champions to that next level.

Klay Thompson
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) is introduced before the game against the Utah Jazz at American Airlines Center. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Speaking with Warriors on NBCS, Green revealed the honest reason Thompson left the Warriors.

"Reason he left, I think he needed a different challenge for himself,” Green said. “Sometimes, you need a change of scenery. Sometimes, that thing can’t push you to be as great as you want. Klay has experienced such a high level of success here that we can all have a sense of entitlement."

Thompson will always be a Warriors legend. While his prime is behind him, the four-time champion is still a high-level three-point shooter who can help space the floor for Irving and Doncic.

The duo of Green and Curry will likely retire with the Warriors, but as the Thompson situation proved, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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